The series began in Lalomerui Village, the closest to SCM’s mining site, and marked an important milestone with the inauguration of the newly renovated Al-Qautsar Mosque, fully supported by SCM.

“With the completion of this renovation, we hope the community can perform their worship more comfortably,” said Lalomerui Village Head, Taksir Unggahi.

The Ramadan Safari also fostered warm interactions, including through the “Anak Saleh” educational quiz. Children participated enthusiastically, offering candid answers that often drew laughter. Mothers accompanying them were occasionally invited to join as well.

As part of the program, SCM’s Community Affairs team and contractor partners distributed more than 350 Ramadan care packages to underprivileged households. These were symbolically handed over to village authorities for distribution.

“Through the Ramadan Safari and these donations, SCM hopes to further strengthen community ties,” said SCM Head of Mining Engineering, Didik Fotunadi. “Direct engagement and positive interactions form the foundation of a harmonious relationship between the company and the community.”
*

*
Engaging Youth in Halmahera
A similar sense of togetherness was seen in Central Halmahera, North Maluku. Here, PT Merdeka Tsingshan Indonesia (MTI) held Ramadan Safari events on February 27, 2026, at Babussalam Mosque in Makarti Jaya Village, and on February 28 at Ar-Rahman Mosque in Labota Village. Activities began before iftar with religious sermons, followed by communal breaking of the fast and prayers.

Beyond religious observances, MTI’s Ramadan Safari created space for youth engagement. In collaboration with Makarti Jaya Village-Owned Enterprise (BUMDes), the company organized religious competitions involving students from ten local Qur’anic learning centers. Events ranged from archery and short surah memorization to young preacher contests, adhan, quiz competitions, and Ramadan vlogging. These activities encouraged both religious understanding and creativity among village youth.

*

Ramadan Fair at Tujuh Bukit
In Banyuwangi, East Java, PT Bumi Suksesindo (BSI) introduced a different approach through Ramadan Fair 2026, involving 56 students from seven high schools in Pesanggaran and Siliragung districts.

Held every weekend since February 27, 2026, the program combined Islamic boarding-style activities with educational sessions. Days were filled with communal worship, followed by tarawih prayers and Qur’an recitation in the evenings. Participants also explored topics relevant to youth, such as the risks of early marriage and drug abuse.

They also received social media content training and joined a mine tour at the Tujuh Bukit Gold Mine.

“Mining is something we usually only see from the outside. Now I can see it firsthand,” said Raya, a participant from SMK PGRI Pesanggaran.

As part of the program, BSI held “Bumi Suksesindo Bersholawat” on March 7, 2026, at Tujuh Bukit Futsal Stadium, attended by hundreds of employees and student participants. The event also included donations to local orphans.

A dedicated session for female employees, titled “Resilient Women Welcoming Ramadan,” focused on practical topics such as emotional awareness and mental resilience in a demanding work environment.

*

Extended Safari and Ramadan Market in Pohuwato
In Gorontalo Province, the Pani Gold Mine conducted an extensive Ramadan Safari from February 23 to March 19, 2026. A total of 29 events were held across villages and hamlets, in collaboration with mosque committees and involving multiple company departments.

Each visit included iftar gatherings, religious talks, and congregational prayers, reaching areas such as Hulawa, Taluduyunu, Buntulia, Bulangita, and Palopo. Activities were also regularly held at Baiturrahim Grand Mosque, including a large iftar event at Pohuwato Grand Mosque attended by local government and the public. Cooking oil was distributed at each event as direct support to residents.

“We are impressed by the community’s enthusiasm. Their warm responds gives positive energy to the company,” said Mahesha Lugiana, CSR Manager of Pani Gold Mine.

The program concluded with a Ramadan Market held in Buntulia and Marisa districts. Hundreds of residents accessed subsidized staple packages—worth Rp200,000 but redeemable at Rp50,000—to help meet household needs ahead of Eid. The initiative also reached traditional miners in collaboration with Pohuwato Police.

Through the combination of Ramadan Safari and the Ramadan Market, Pani Gold Mine delivered both social engagement and tangible economic support to surrounding communities.

*

Ramadan activities across Merdeka Group’s mining areas may vary, but all are tailored to local needs and cultural contexts. Through sustained interaction and engagement, Ramadan Safari goes beyond religious observance. It creates shared spaces that strengthen communication and trust between the company and the communities it operates in.

Artikel Merdeka Group’s Ramadan Safari: Strengthening Community Bonds Across Operational Areas pertama kali tampil pada PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk.

The agreement is valid for two years with a total transaction volume of 3 metric tons (nearly 100,000 ounces of gold per year), with an option to increase by up to 3 additional metric tons per year. Under this partnership, BSI and PETS act as the sellers, while ANTAM serves as the buyer of domestically refined gold granules.

The gold production covered under this agreement comes from two of Merdeka Group’s key operations: the Tujuh Bukit Gold Mine in Banyuwangi, East Java, operated since 2017 by BSI, and the Pani Gold Mine in Pohuwato, Gorontalo, operated in part by PETS.

The Pani Gold Mine is the Group’s newest operation. The mine commenced first mining in October 2025 and successfully achieved its first gold pour on 14 February 2026 through the heap leach process. On 27 February 2026, the mine also delivered 44.04 kilograms of dore bullion to ANTAM for its first refining process. The first sale of refined gold under the GSPA is targeted to take place before the end of March 2026.

President Director of PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk, Albert Saputro, stated that the partnership represents a strategic step to ensure domestic absorption of the Group’s gold production while strengthening the integration of Indonesia’s gold industry supply chain. “With a growing production base from the Tujuh Bukit and Pani gold mines, we need a stable and measurable offtake structure. This GSPA provides certainty for production offtake while reinforcing our contribution to the domestic gold industry,” said Albert.

ANTAM Commercial Director Handi Sutanto added that the partnership reflects stronger national gold sovereignty, where Indonesia’s mined resources are refined into pure gold products accessible to the public. ANTAM’s gold bar products are accredited by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA). Through this collaboration, the integration of Indonesia’s gold supply chain is expected to become even stronger.

Going forward, with an increasingly solid production base from the Tujuh Bukit and Pani gold mines and the support of strategic partnerships, Merdeka Group remains optimistic about further increasing its contribution to Indonesia’s gold industry.

Main photo: Representatives of MDKA, EMAS, and ANTAM during the agreement signing on 4 March 2026.

Artikel MDKA and EMAS Sign Gold Sales and Purchase Agreement with ANTAM pertama kali tampil pada PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk.

Two subsidiaries of PT Merdeka Gold Resources Tbk that operate Pani Gold Mine received awards in the large company category: PT Gorontalo Sejahtera Mining (GSM) for achieving 7,666,280 person-hours without a lost time injury, and PT Puncak Emas Tani Sejahtera (PETS) for achieving 2,166,209 person-hours without a lost time injury.

The award was presented by the Governor of Gorontalo Province in recognition of the companies’ achievement in recording zero lost time injuries (LTI), in accordance with Minister of Manpower Regulation No. PER-01/MEN/I/2007. This milestone demonstrates that the consistent implementation of OHS management systems can create a safe, healthy, and productive workplace.

The award was received by Sasongko Heru Nugroho, Head of Mine Technical PETS, accompanied by Adi Firdaus, HR Manager of Pani Gold Mine. “Everyone Safe, Always is our core operational value. This achievement reflects the collective efforts of all employees and partners in upholding safety standards,” said Sasongko. “We remain committed to maintaining and further strengthening OHS standards across all operations.”

Adi said that the achievement reflects strong collaboration in building a safety culture. “This award is not just about numbers, but about our consistency in ensuring every worker returns home safely each day,” said Adi. “We build our safety culture through continuous training, strict supervision, and active engagement of employees and partners.”

This recognition further Pani Gold Mine’s position as a mining operation that prioritizes safety alongside productivity and responsibility to its workforce.

Moving forward, the company will continue enhancing OHS training, operational supervision, and workforce competency to ensure safety remains the foundation as it advances toward full production.

*

Artikel Pani Gold Mine Receives Zero Accident Award from Gorontalo Province pertama kali tampil pada PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk.

Mosehe Wonua is a sacred customary ritual of territorial purification practiced by the Tolaki people, one of the ethnic groups of Southeast Sulawesi. The ritual aims to cleanse the self and the land, reconcile conflicts, and ward off misfortune by seeking protection from the Creator so that the region may be spared from harm.

The procession began solemnly with the Pengangkatan Adat, or the formal declaration of the ritual’s intent. Led by the To-ono Mo-tuo, or customary elders, of the Tolaki Customary Council, the ceremony involved the Vice Regent of Konawe, Syamsul Ibrahim, as the respected elder figure. The presence of customary leaders alongside government officials symbolized the harmony between traditional order and formal governance. Also in attendance were representatives of the Konawe Regency DPRD, officials from the regency and Routa Subdistrict governments, and village heads from across Routa.

Following the declaration, the ritual continued with a collective prayer. All participants bowed their heads in reverence. Holding hands or gently touching each other’s shoulders, they prayed together, offering hopes for the safety and well-being of the entire Routa community. The ritual then proceeded with a water-sprinkling procession. Water that had been prayed over was sprinkled onto those present, symbolizing inner purification and the cooling of the soul for every resident of Routa.

The climax of the Mosehe Wonua ritual was marked by the sacrifice of a buffalo. The blood that was shed symbolized atonement and the rejection of misfortune. Through this offering, the community sought to release negative energies and replace them with gratitude for the abundance bestowed upon the land of Routa.

The event was attended not only by residents and government representatives, but also by the private sector. The Head of Mine Technical of PT Sulawesi Cahaya Mineral (SCM), Didik Fotunadi, along with representatives of SCM contractors, took part in the ritual with deep respect, underscoring that industry and tradition can coexist in harmony.

In his remarks, Vice Regent Syamsul Ibrahim emphasized the importance of maintaining harmony between the community and companies operating in the area. “Mosehe Wonua purifies ourselves and our land so that we are kept away from misfortune. This is the first time in Routa’s history that Mosehe Wonua has been held,” he said. “I hope this ritual becomes a momentum to strengthen bonds with local communities, especially in Routa. We must work together to develop this area into a miniature of the most beautiful town in Konawe and Southeast Sulawesi.”

Echoing this sentiment, Routa Urban Village Head Ahmad stated that the collaboration between residents and the company to revive this nearly extinct ritual was a major step toward unity. “This event is sacred and is being held for the first time in Routa. It serves as a forum to unite all Routa residents,” he said. “If disputes arise, we should sit together and involve customary institutions. In Routa, we have always prioritized customary resolution for the sake of peace.”

From the industry perspective, Didik Fotunadi reaffirmed SCM, a subsidiary of PT Merdeka Battery Materials Tbk (IDX: MBMA), commitment to contributing to communities around its mining operations through various economic and infrastructure development programs. “Our contribution to the Mosehe Wonua event reflects our commitment to respecting local wisdom and cultural traditions in the communities surrounding SCM’s mining area in Routa,” he said. “As a ‘neighbour’ in Routa, we also need a safe and conducive environment so that our operations can continue to deliver positive contributions to community welfare. SCM will continue to work in synergy with local government and the community.”

As the ritual concluded and all prayers had been offered, a profound hope lingered on the Lalomerui field: that economic progress would never erode the noble values passed down by Tolaki ancestors. Routa now stands not only spiritually cleansed, but also ready to embrace a more harmonious future.

*

Artikel Mosehe Wonua Routa: Purifying the Heart and Preserving Tradition in the Land of Konawe pertama kali tampil pada PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk.

The availability of internet access in Lalomerui is the result of collaboration between SCM and PLN Icon Plus, Regional SBU Sulawesi and Eastern Indonesia. Infrastructure development began in early January 2026, starting with the installation of fiber optic cables. PLN Icon Plus supplied poles and network infrastructure from the provincial road junction to Routa Sub-district, while SCM’s IT team ensured distribution reached key facilities throughout the village. With bandwidth capacity of up to 200 Mbps, the connection is designed to be stable and capable of supporting a wide range of activities, from video conferencing to access to government servers—services that were previously difficult to reach from the area.

The most immediate benefits have been felt in the education sector. Prior to the installation, teachers at SD Negeri Lalomerui and SMP Negeri 2 Routa had to travel for hours to the regency capital simply to submit administrative reports and update the national Education Data System (Dapodik) online.

The principal of SMP Negeri 2 Routa, Imran, described the internet access as a turning point for teaching and learning. “For the past several years, our digital learning materials were practically unusable because they required access to central servers. With free Wi-Fi now available, learning resources can be accessed easily,” he said. “We believe this will significantly boost students’ motivation to learn.”

Internet access has also improved efficiency in school operations. Previously, students of SMP Negeri 2 Routa had to travel to the regency capital to take national assessments. This year, the school is proud to be able to conduct the National Assessment independently on its own campus.

Village Head of Lalomerui, Taksir Unggahi, expressed hope that the facility would broaden local perspectives and open new economic opportunities. “We hope this internet access brings new knowledge to communities around the mining area, including ways to develop the village economy through digital platforms,” he said.

Despite the many benefits, SCM also emphasized the importance of responsible use of technology. During the official handover ceremony of the Village Internet Facility held at SCM’s Community Affairs Office in Lalomerui on 4 February 2026, SCM’s Head of Mine Technical , Didik Fotunadi, reminded the community that the internet has two sides. “Internet technology is like a double-edged sword. It shortens distances, but it also exposes users—especially children—to outside influences if not properly supervised,” he said. “We entrust this facility to be safeguarded and used positively, with guidance from teachers and parents.”

Following the signing of the handover documents, representatives of SCM management, together with its parent company PT Merdeka Battery Materials Tbk and the PLN Icon Plus team, visited beneficiary locations including the Lalomerui Village Office, SMP Negeri 2 Routa, and SD Negeri Lalomerui. Technical teams checked signal strength and ensured routers and cable installations met safety standards and were ready for sustainable operation. The visit was also attended by teachers from SD Negeri Lalomerui led by Ramlin, S.Pd., and local community leaders.

With the operation of this free internet service, Lalomerui Village has officially entered the digital era. The initiative demonstrates that geographical constraints are no longer a barrier to access to technology—and that collaborative efforts can bring meaningful change to classrooms hidden behind hills and forests in remote areas of Konawe.

Main photo: View of Lalomerui Village.

Artikel SCM Provides Free Internet Access for Lalomerui Village in Remote Routa pertama kali tampil pada PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk.

The Roworejo River is located not far from the Tujuh Bukit Gold Mine operated by PT Bumi Suksesindo (BSI). Both are situated in Sumberagung Village, Pesanggaran Subdistrict, Banyuwangi, East Java. When the Sumberagung Village Government initiated the normalization of the Roworejo River to reduce flood risks, the subsidiary of PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk provided support by covering the cost of excavator operations.

The river normalization work began on Saturday, 24 January 2026, targeting a one-kilometer stretch of the river. The process has been directly monitored by the Head of Pancer Hamlet, Estu Raharjo. Improved water flow following the normalization is expected to reduce flood risks. According to Estu, the effort is also crucial to protecting local livelihoods. “Our farmers depend heavily on their crops. When flooding occurs, plants are damaged and they suffer losses,” he said.

The excavator deployed on site has also been used for other community needs, such as creating household waste disposal pits to prevent rubbish from being carried into the river during the rainy season.

BSI’s support for river normalization in Sumberagung Village is not without precedent. In 2019, BSI was involved in the normalization of the Gonggo River, which had previously overflowed frequently, flooding residential areas, damaging farmland, and leaving large amounts of waste behind. After the river was dredged and the removed sediment was used to build embankments, areas that had experienced flooding up to three times a year were no longer affected.

Support for the normalization of the Roworejo River forms part of BSI’s ongoing involvement in environmental management around its mining operations. Through cooperation with the village government and local communities, flood mitigation efforts are expected to be carried out more effectively and deliver tangible benefits for the residents of Sumberagung.

Artikel Flood Mitigation Efforts, BSI Supports the Normalization of the Roworejo River in Sumberagung pertama kali tampil pada PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk.

The handover continues the first phase of rehabilitation covering 500 hectares that had been delivered earlier. With this second phase, the total rehabilitated area submitted by GSM now reaches 1,089.37 hectares. This exceeds the company’s forest-use permit obligation (PPKH) of 999.90 hectares by 89.47 hectares.

The handover documents were signed by GSM Director Cahyono Seto and received by Ir. Sri Handayaningsih, M.Sc, Director of Soil Conservation and Forest Reclamation (TKTRH), representing the Directorate General of Watershed Management and Forest Rehabilitation (PDASRH) of the Ministry of Forestry.

The rehabilitation sites are located in Suka Damai and Wonggasari Tengah villages, Lemito District, Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo Province. Planting was carried out in two phases: the first from 2018 to 2022, and the second starting in 2022 and evaluated on November 12, 2025.

The evaluation results show a planting success rate of 83.09 percent, surpassing the Ministry’s minimum standard of 75 percent. The planted species include timber trees such as mahogany, nyatoh, and white teak, along with fruit trees like durian, cashew, clove, nutmeg, and rambutan.

Watershed Rehabilitation is a government-mandated effort to restore forest and watershed functions as compensation for forest areas used for business activities. Under the PPKH mechanism, each hectare of forest utilized must be replaced with rehabilitation on another hectare of land. This ensures ecological balance, soil and water conservation, and long-term environmental sustainability.

For GSM, the watershed rehabilitation program reflects the company’s environmental responsibility. “This watershed rehabilitation not only fulfills our regulatory obligations, but also delivers real benefits for the environment and surrounding communities,” said GSM Director Cahyono Seto. “We want to ensure that forest areas remain productive and sustainable.”

GSM is one of the permit holders for the Pani Gold Mine in Pohuwato, Gorontalo, alongside several other companies involved in its management. GSM is a subsidiary of PT Merdeka Gold Resources Tbk (MGR), which in turn is part of the PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk. With the completion of this second-phase handover, GSM has now fulfilled its entire watershed rehabilitation obligation.

*

Artikel GSM’s Watershed Rehabilitation Reaches 1,089.37 Hectares, Beyond Regulatory Requirements pertama kali tampil pada PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk.

The INSTAR 2025 Index serves as a form of appreciation for companies assessed as having implemented sustainable and integrity-driven business practices. The program is organized by Tempo Data Science in collaboration with Transparency International Indonesia (TII) and the Institute for Strategic Initiatives (ISI). These institutions play an important role in promoting transparency, accountability, and the strengthening of business governance and democracy in Indonesia.

This year, INSTAR assessed 900 companies out of a total of 1,019 companies that published annual and sustainability reports, including issuers listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange and non-listed state-owned enterprises. The assessment applied 47 indicators across four key dimensions: Social and Human Rights, Environment, Business Integrity, and Corporate Resilience. Companies scoring 80 or above receive the Verified Badge, while those exceeding the assessment threshold but not yet reaching a score of 80 receive the Committed Badge.

Participating in the INSTAR assessment for the first time, PT Merdeka Battery Materials Tbk achieved an index score of 83.75, making it the only mining company in Indonesia to receive the INSTAR Verified Company Badge in 2025. Meanwhile, PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk recorded a total index score of 79.82, an increase of 16.67 percent from its 2024 score of 68.42.

The awards on behalf of the Merdeka Group were accepted by Tom Malik, Head of Corporate Communication of Merdeka. The ceremony was also attended by Deputy Minister of Investment Todotua Pasaribu and Deputy Commissioner for Financial System Stability at the Financial Services Authority (OJK), Agus E. Siregar, who emphasized the importance of integrity and sustainability in national business practices.

The INSTAR 2025 awards reflect the results of an independent assessment of the companies’ governance and sustainability practices. This achievement serves as a reference for the Merdeka Group to continue evaluating and strengthening its business integrity practices and sustainability reporting going forward, in line with evolving regulations and stakeholder expectations.

Main photo: Tom Malik, Head of Corporate Communication, receives the INSTAR Verified Company Badge on behalf of PT Merdeka Battery Materials Tbk. Second photo: Tom Malik, Head of Corporate Communication, receives the INSTAR Committed Company Badge on behalf of PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk. Third photo: Representatives of companies receiving the INSTAR Committed Badge.

Artikel Two Merdeka Group Companies Receive INSTAR 2025 Verified and Committed Badges pertama kali tampil pada PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk.

These recognitions underscore the Merdeka Group’s consistent efforts to enhance transparency and accountability through sustainability reporting. PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk earned the Platinum Rank for the first time— ASRRAT’s highest rating—while PT Merdeka Battery Materials Tbk (MBM) successfully retained its Gold Rank, as it did the previous year.

The award for Merdeka Copper Gold was received by Bahtiar Manurung, ESG and Climate Change Manager of the Merdeka Group, while the award for MBM was received by Satriyo Giri, ESG and Climate Change Specialist at Merdeka. Both achievements reflect the strong quality of both companies’ sustainability reports, which transparently and responsibly disclose their performance, commitments, and sustainability strategies.

In his keynote speech at ASRRAT 2025, Prof. Dr. Bambang Permadi Soemantri Brodjonegoro, S.E., M.U.P., Ph.D., Chairman of the NCCR Board of Trustees, emphasized the urgency of aligning sustainability reporting standards with global frameworks. He highlighted how IFRS S1–S2, TCFD, and the GRI Standards increasingly require companies to present information that is measurable, consistent, comparable, and useful for stakeholders. Businesses, he noted, must adapt quickly to these developments.

Meanwhile, NCCR Executive Director, Dr. (Hon) Ali Darwin, Ak., M.Sc., CSRS, CSRA, CSP., stressed that sustainability reporting has become a foundation of accountability and trust in responsible business practices. He underscored that companies are expected not only to meet technical reporting requirements but also to demonstrate long-term commitment in managing material impacts.

This recognitions strengthen the Merdeka Group’s efforts to continually improve the quality of its sustainability disclosures and to deepen the integration of ESG considerations into decision-making processes. The company remains committed to ensuring that every operational activity generates tangible benefits for communities and the environment, while contributing to sustainable development in Indonesia.

Main Photo: Bahtiar Manurung, ESG & Climate Change Manager Merdeka, received the Platinum Rank on behalf of MDKA.
Second Photo: Satriyo Giri, ESG & Climate Change Specialist Merdeka, received the Gold Rank on behalf of MBMA.
Third Photo: Merdeka ESG & Climate Change Team at ASRATT 2025.

Artikel Merdeka Group Wins Platinum and Gold Awards at ASRRAT 2025 pertama kali tampil pada PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk.

Developed by SETARA Institute with support from the Tarumanagara Jakarta Foundation, the RBC Benchmark aims to strengthen responsible, human-rights–based business practices in Indonesia. The instrument assess the extent to which Business and Human Rights principles—particularly those referring to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs)—as well as ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and sustainability principles have been systematically integrated into companies’ policies, governance structures, and operational practices.

The assessment is carried out comprehensively through a review of documented practices, public reporting, internal mechanisms, and companies’ responses to human rights risks and impacts. In the study’s results, Merdeka was listed among the highest-scoring companies out of 18 mining companies evaluated.

As the organizer, SETARA Institute is known for promoting pluralism, humanity, democracy, and human rights. Through SIGI—a dedicated unit focusing on inclusive and sustainable governance based on the UNGPs—SETARA continues to advance responsible business practices in Indonesia.

The event was attended by various stakeholders, including the Director General of Human Rights Services and Compliance at the Ministry of Human Rights, Munafrizal Manan; Chair of the SETARA Institute National Council, Hendardi; Chair of the SETARA Institute Governing Board, Ismail Hasani; Executive Director of SETARA Institute, Halili Hasan; as well as representatives from companies achieving the highest scores in the RBC Benchmark study.

Artikel Merdeka Wins the 2025 Business and Human Rights Award pertama kali tampil pada PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk.